College of Veterinary Medicine's Stockham receives high honor from European Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013

MANHATTAN -- Steve Stockham, professor of veterinary clinical pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, is the 2013 recipient of the prestigious Veterinary Clinical Pathology Hall of Fame Award from the European Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

The award was formally announced at the society's annual meeting in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 6-9, and was presented to Stockham at the annual meeting of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on Nov. 17.

Award qualifications include having practiced clinical pathology for 25 years or more and having made substantial contributions to the profession. Stockham was recognized for his roles as an educator of veterinary students and clinical pathology residents, his numerous contributions to the discipline, and for co-authoring a textbook that is used throughout the world. He was especially recognized for his annual reviews of the certifying examinations of the European College for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

"This recognition of my contributions to veterinary clinical pathology is far beyond anything I expected in my career," said Stockham, who is a faculty member in the college's diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department. "When I entered my residency in 1977, I never would have dreamed that 36 years later I would be recognized for lifelong achievements by European colleagues. It is most gratifying that my roles as an educator were mentioned as a major factor in the selection; teaching has been the focus and most rewarding aspect of my professional life."

"Dr. Stockham is a phenomenal instructor and his commitment to and passion for teaching is unquestionably strong and deep-rooted," said M.M. Chengappa, university distinguished professor and head of the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department. "We are really fortunate to have a man of his caliber in the college."

Stockham earned his bachelor's degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1970 and 1972, respectively. He completed a residency in veterinary pathology and master's degree at Michigan State University in 1980. Stockham became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology in 1980. He also is an honorary member of the European College for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

Stockham has taught at Michigan State University and the University of Missouri. In 2001, he returned to Kansas State University with the primary responsibilities of teaching second-year veterinary students, training of clinical pathology residents and providing diagnostic services in the Clinical Pathology Laboratory.

Stockham has obtained more than $100,000 in teaching enhancement grants during his career, and he has received numerous teaching awards, including the Norden/Pfizer Distinguished Teaching Award in 1987, 1998 and 2012 for excellent instruction of veterinary students; the Golden Aesculapius Award in 1990, 1992, 1994, 1997 and 2000 for outstanding instruction of sophomore veterinary students; the Gold Chalk Award in 1990, 1994 and 1998 for outstanding instruction of graduate students; the William T. Kemper Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching in 1994; the Bayer Animal Health Teaching Excellence Award in 2005, 2009 and 2013, and the University of Missouri-Columbia Faculty-Alumni Award in 1998. He also has been the recipient of five awards related to his roles of being a mentor or adviser to student organizations.

He co-authored "Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Pathology," first and second editions, a textbook used by several U.S. veterinary schools and on the recommended reading lists for residents preparing for the certifying examinations of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and European College for Veterinary Clinical Pathology. He has served on various education-related committees of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology, serving as the society's secretary/treasurer from 1985 to 1989. His peer-reviewed articles include descriptions and characterizations of newly recognized pathologic states in dogs, horses and cattle.

Stockham has coordinated the university's Wakonse Program that has supported the attendance of more than 70 faculty to the Wakonse Conference on College Teaching. He also was co-founder of the veterinary college's Parallel Paths group mentoring program.

The European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology was formed in 1998 for the promotion of the discipline to fill the need for well-educated clinical pathologists with certified experience for leading positions in commercial laboratories, industry and veterinary schools. The society is open to veterinarians and non-veterinarians who are interested in one of the many areas related to veterinary clinical pathology. The society was instrumental in the establishment of the European College for Veterinary Clinical Pathology in 2002 and its board-certifying examination.

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At a glance

Steve Stockham, professor of veterinary clinical pathobiology, has been recognized by the European Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology with its prestigious Veterinary Clinical Pathology Hall of Fame Award.

Notable quote

"Dr. Stockham is a phenomenal instructor and his commitment to and passion for teaching is unquestionably strong and deep-rooted. We are really fortunate to have a man of his caliber in the college."

– M.M. Chengappa, university distinguished professor and head of the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department